FIRST REPORT

Scamp is a 6 year old golden retriever. He is an ex stud dog and the beau of Creamy (now Heidi) and Sandy (now Abigail). He is currently in foster with Joanne who reports that he has settled in very well and he is very placid and gentle (he has been with us 5 days and we have yet to hear him bark). When he first arrived I was looking after my niece. She was initially very frightened of him as he is such a big dog. He did not retaliate in any way and by the end of the evening she was lying all over him. He enjoys his walks immensely and is very good on the lead.

He socialises very well with other dogs and people. Have found he travels well in the car but on many occasions does not want to get out the other end and has to be lifted out (very heavy). He comes when he is called and responds well to the use of his name. His fur was very matted when he came to us but we soon discovered that he loves to be groomed as the first time he fell asleep and started to snore.

UPDATE FROM HIS FOREVER HOME

Joanne says. “When Jane asked me to do some fostering in the 6 weeks holiday whilst I was off work little did I realise how it would change our lives. When Scamp arrived he settled in straight away and it was as though he had always been here.

He settled into a routine very quickly and especially enjoyed his 3 walks a day. One night my daughters, Natalie and Danielle, were supposed to have taken him out for his last walk but didn't. I thought he would be okay going out into the back garden but Mark my husband had to get up and take him out at 1.30 in the morning as he wouldn't settle. He's very friendly towards other people and dogs and has made loads of friends whilst out on our walks. He is very placid and gentle and doesn't bark very much even if other dogs bark at him. We go out quite regularly with Malcolm and Jane with their dogs Tess and whoever they are fostering.

Recently we had to take him to the vets as he had an infection in his ears and he had scratched himself that much he'd made the area raw and infected. Vet had to shave his hair off round his ear and gave us some cream and drops to administer. The funny part was he had to wear a cone over his head to stop him scratching. Had some funny comments when we took him out for walks like how many channels he could receive. He's back to normal now and the vet gave him clean bill of health.

We all fell in love with Scamp from the moment he came to live with us and Natalie and Danielle wanted to adopt him straight away. I was concerned at first because of going back to work in September. We decided that if no-one came forward to adopt him by the end of August we would go for it. Since going back to work at the beginning of September Scamp has adapted very well to our change of routine. We are over the moon that we have been accepted to adopt him as it would be difficult to imagine life without him as he has brought so much joy, fun and laughter into our lives as well as keeping us fit with all the walking.”

©2008 Irish Retriever Rescue UK